Nearly a year ago, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Maven spacecraft departed for Mars. After the 442-million mile journey, it has arrived and students can now admire the sights on the red planet.Officials have confirmed the robotic explorer has come to a full stop and fallen into orbit. After just eight hours of orbiting through Mars’ atmosphere, the MAVEN spacecraft had already sent back data to its creators on Earth. Among the data received were photos that allowed researchers to study the red planet’s atmosphere. The photos showed a variety of colors that represented different gases within Mars’ thin atmosphere.“This is such an incredible night,” said John Grunsfeld, NASA’s chief for science missions in an interview with USA Today.BYU-Hawaii students were also left in awe when learning of the historic accomplishment. “The mission is a great thing. It could help us find potential life,” said Joe Eads, a sophomore from Maryland studying accounting.“Technology is doing great things. I’m excited to see what happens,” said Anna Robins, a senior from New Mexico studying exercise science.The mission, titled Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, is the first mission designated for the study of solar winds and its interaction with the atmosphere of Mars.According to NASA scientist and MAVEN principle investigator, Bruce Jakosky, the spacecraft will use it’s scientific instruments to learn where the planet’s water and carbon dioxide went. “The evidence shows the Mars atmosphere today is a cold, dry environment, one where liquid water really can’t exist in a stable state. But it also tells us when we look at older surfaces, that the ancient surfaces had liquid water flowing over it.” The MAVEN vehicle will not be landing on Mars’ surface, but it will stay in orbit for as long as possible in order to gather the most data.NASA will not be alone in space as India made history by successfully entering Mars’ orbit, becoming the first nation to arrive on the planet on its first attempt, according to CNN. India is also the first Asian country to reach the red planet sending the Mars Orbiter to conduct research.“We never really know what’s going on with science and technology, but once news is released ,I’m almost always blown away by what has been found,” said Oakley Tullis, a sophomore from California studying psychology.According to NASA, the MAVEN spacecraft is planned to orbit Mars for one year.
Writer: Jared Roberts ~ Multimedia Journalist
